Welcome to Samui Mala Festival 2009

Yes, Samui Global Mala has grown up, moved home and changed names.

Welcome to Samui Mala Festival 2009!

I’d like to quote Yann Arthus-Betrand talking about his latest film about the environment Home:

“It’s too late to be pessimistic. Far too late. We are all part of the solution”.

That’s the spirit of this year’s Samui Mala – let’s do what is possible instead of hiding behind our pessimism, our conspiracy theories or our despair. Let this festival be an expression of hope and optimism – it’s going to be a multi-day, multi-venue event with activities and events like Mala beads linking us together in our vision for a green and clean Samui.

The website is still growing but we have activities from September 19 to the final party on September 27. I’ve put in an update below as the site is slower than me… :) I’m very excited how things are panning out so far… the idea to move the mala to appropriate and diverse venues was inspired – the energy is really flowing.

So what’s in it for you?

You have to come and join us to find out:

‘Gorilla marketing’ work day: Thursday 13th August – yes this week!!!

The Samui Film festival this weekend (14-16 August) is supported by the Samui Mala and visa versa – so we are preparing some hand made brochures from recycled card to hand out. We need you to drop by June’s café at the Samui Town Centre any time from 10am to late to help paint the cards.

Plus it’s a nice place to hang out, catch up and have a great meal!

Please support the Samui Film Festival – there are three nights of great movies. www.samuifilmfestival.com

Film festival prize judge: If anyone thinks they are qualified to be a judge on the festival panel please contact me – you will have to see every film. :) The Samui Mala will award a prize (we will plant a tree for the winner).

If you’d like to be a volunteer for the mala and join in organizing or contributing to any of the events for the mala, please let me know so I can put you on the mailing list for a meeting next week.

See you Thursday?

Website development: We would love some help with the website – we want to make it more collaborative and interactive.

We’d like to make a website that lives beyond the event to support our supporters, and to reflect an alternate, fun Samui with interactive, interesting and up to date information.

Anybody out there want to work with us on this? Let me know and we can schedule a time.

Call me anytime: Shelley 0818921180

Summary of Mala events planned so far:

Pre-Mala events

August 14-16 the Samui Film Festival 2009 at Imperial Boat House will focus on environmental education in a fun atmosphere including food, music and community.

September 6-16: A 10 day permaculture course allows participants to collaborate, design and implement these ideas on a site that will be shared with the community during the Samui Mala week.

September 19
Racing for a greener Samui: Just before the Samui Mala, the island is hosting the Koh Samui Trophy, an adventure race including cycling, running, kayaking and swimming. The race while not under the auspices of the Samui Mala, fires the perfect starter’s pistol for a week of pursuing the healthy life, whether personal, or environmental. We will be promoting the Mala at the Ibis for the registration. See www.kohsamuitrophy.com

The organizers have taken pity on Samui and will also put on a beach race of 3, 5 and 9 kilometres for us locals.

September 19 and 20
Racing to unwind: As an antidote to such extreme activity, and as part of the Mala celebrations, local independent and hotel Samui spas are offering an Xtreme Spa promotion weekend for visitors to Samui, for the spouses and friends of the adventure race attendees, and for any ‘survivors’ of the adventure race.

September 20

THA sport day: an inter-hotel sport day is being planned to compete, enjoy a relaxing picnic, raise funds and humiliate the bosses.

Monday, September 21
Yoga and peace day on the UN day of peace. Yoga Thailand (http://www.yoga-thailand.com) will host the yoga program as a "Day of Peace Retreat". This will include guided ashtanga yoga, guided Pranayama basics plus a talk, as well as a discussion on fasting, healing & peace. The day will close with a sunset chant/ meditation on the beach at sunset. A donation for admission will go towards Yoga Thailand’s Centered Foundation charity project (renovating temples and schools in Samui).

Tuesday, Wednesday: We are still networking and inspiring others to take on these days:

There are discussions about a shopping/OTOP/Food walking street in the middle road of Nathon. We are hoping for a ‘green day’ – either a permaculture blitz or a gardening expo. Watch this space! Other ideas are films, garage sale to raise money and encourage ‘retail recycling’. So if you have a bright idea and want to ‘Carpe Diem’ – just be in touch :)

Thursday, September 24

GIDOA (Green Island Dive Operators Association) will host a “Blue Day” to focus on the beach and sea and environmental educational seminars at Kandaburi Resort & Spa. The association is especially preparing a Power Point presentation for educational use in the future which it will show for the first time on this day, and will offer Snorkel and Discover Scuba Lessons/Sessions for children.

Friday, September 25
Healing Forum at Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa http://www.kamalaya.com/ will focus on holistic approaches to health of body, mind, spirit and the environment. The day will be titled “Healing ourselves, healing our world. A conversation among friends”. The magnificent Yantra hall at this premier wellness retreat is a superb venue to explore Samui’s role as a healing island, and the relationship between personal and environmental health. Pioneers in the islands health and spiritual history will join and invite anyone interested in the healing arts to participate. The day will also include a taste of healthy foods and drinks from Kamalaya's award winning kitchen. A guided walk with the resort’s architect, an art exhibition for local artists and uplifting and enjoyable entertainment will be another attraction on the day.

Saturday, September 26
Green Kids Day at Blue Water School http://www.bluewatersamui.com/ will focus on environmental education through fun. Children from all communities on the island will spend the day together enjoying activities, films, competitions, song and dance and a chance to become the stewards of the environment they will inherit.

Saturday, September 26
Samui Jazz goes Mala! The Samui Jazz is on the brink of agreeing to support the Samui Mala with co-promotion, and bring share some artists with us. Watch this space!

Sunday, September 27
Samui Mala celebration
Following the success of the last two years’ Samui Mala Celebration the closing party in the beautiful grounds of Tamarind Springs www.tamarindsprings.com will be a fabulous opportunity to celebrate, wrap up and network. A great showcase of the world-class musical talent of Samui’s performers and a chance for everyone to party the night away.